The editorial "End
of Veerappan" (Oct 20) rightly points out that after the
elimination of the brigand, his links with the politicians,
bureaucrats and even NGO’s need to be probed. I wish to make two
points here. First, since Karnataka and Tamil Nadu have been at
loggerheads with each other over the issue of tackling Veerappan, the
CBI must probe it.

And secondly, the deceased
outlaw’s clout with the so-called human rights groups should be of
considerable interest to the CBI. These groups have already started floating the
‘fake encounter’ theory. They probably never raised their voice when
Veerappan killed over 120 persons and 2000 elephants, plundered train-loads of
sandalwood, abducted aged public figures like Rajkumar and terrorised
innumerable people. Are the ordinary law-abiding people of no news value for the
human rights groups?

Dr JAGDISH BATRA, Sr. Lecturer,
Hindu College, Sonepat

II

The Tribune news-item
"Cash prize, housing plot for each STF member" (Oct 20) explicitly
shows how generous our chosen representatives are with public money.`A0 They
dole out state and public property to whomsoever they please.`A0Though it is a
matter of great achievement of the STF and all others involved in the operation,
politically motivated gestures should not be permitted.

The only purpose
behind such misplaced and calculated philanthropy is to seek
popularity through unfair means.`A0There ought to be a certain degree
of control over the way these modern day rajas and maharajas
spend and squander public money and cheat the state exchequer.

VIVEK KHANNA, Panchkula

III

Gunning down
Veerappan has come as a great relief for everyone. If he had been
nabbed alive, the government would have had to spend a lot of money on
his security. The STF has indeed done a marvellous job. Over the
years, Veerappan had made a mockery of the rule of law.

Change is the law of
nature, but someone should take the initiative to bring about the
change in any sphere of activity. The British exploited India tooth
and nail, but it touched the sensitivity of some people. For instance,
A.O. Hume, an ICS officer, was so moved with the country’s plight
that while addressing the graduates of Calcutta University, he said
that conditions in the country could be changed if 50 selfless
sacrificing people came forward. The call, subsequently, led to a
great movement which threw out the British Raj.

DURGA DATTA SHARMA,
Abohar

II

Corruption is a blot
on the nation, eating into the vitals of democracy. The following
steps need to be taken to eradicate corruption from the country.
Politicians and bureaucrats who misuse their official positions should
be tried summarily by fast track courts and meted out punishment
within six months. Their movable and immovable properties should be
attached. Politicians and bureaucrats found guilty of corruption
should be given condign punishment including death penalty and their
photographs and names displayed in the "Hall of Shame". This
is bound to act as a strong deterrent.

Wg-Cdr GURMAIL SINGH
(retd), Chandigarh

III

The common man,
especially the law-abiding citizens and the poor, come fact to face
with this cancer in their dealings with the lower rungs of
administration. The malady has deepened due to the increasing nexus
between the politician, bureaucrat, businessman and criminal at
various levels of administration. With no solution in sight, it has
led to disillusionment among the masses.

One major step to
check the rot is to make administration more transparent through
e-governance and information technology and to hold those in authority
accountable for lapses. The corrupt must be dealt with sternly and
speedily for their crimes and their ill-gotten wealth confiscated. All
sections of society, especially the leaders — political, social and
religious — will have to spearhead the fight against corruption.

Brig H.S. SANDHU
(retd), Panchkula

No legal sanction

The report "Accept
husband or brother" (Oct 12) is amazing. Does the code of
conduct of the Khap Panchayat provide for any social or legal solution
to the situation of the "real" father? There seems to be no
provision either in the old Hindu law or in the present codified Hindu
laws. Only God can save the innocent blind followers from being
prevailed upon by the Indian orthodox society.

Sonia deserves
congratulations and encouragement for responding contemptuously to
such illegal, anti-social and unethical dictate boldly. The National
Human Rights Commission has rightly taken suo motu cognisance of the
matter.

N.R. GOEL, IAS (retd),
Karnal

Mockery of education

This has reference to the report “PAU students boycott exams”. It seems students are playing with the hard-earned money of their parents and making a mockery of our education system. Girl students say, “We want
izzat, not money”. But where is the danger to their izzat? Just because they were not allowed to have unauthorised entry to a musical night?

Students ask, why was the programme permitted in the university grounds without a special arrangement for them to watch the programme. But the question is why should students waste time in attending functions of this kind. Remember those golden days when students used to concentrate on studies well instead of killing time in unproductive work? I hope wiser counsel will prevail upon our children who are the builders of our destiny.

KOMAL SANDHU, Ludhiana

Travel 13 km for power bills

The Punjab State Electricity Board has started a power house and opened the SDO’s office for India’s first Nucleus Industrial Complex at Goindwal-Sahib. But this office has been shifted to Khadoor-Sahib We used to to remit our bills in the SDO’s office. No arrangements have been made now and we are told that cashier is not available.

Why are we forced to travel 13 km to remit the electricity bills? This is sheer harassment and waste of money, time and energy. The PSEB authorities should arrange the remittance of electricity bills at its Goindwal-Sahib office immediately.